Would the look of my neck be considered a lower neck lift failure and can this sometimes happen? Would a revision help? (Photos)

Question

Lower neck lift in July. Uneventful. Good healing and little bruising. Lots of swelling especially at the sides by my jaw. Had platysmaplasty with no lipo as it was stated it was not needed. It has been almost four months but I am disappointed at the sagging skin and bands if that is even what it is. My Dr. said in September he had hoped for a better result with the banding and injected Botox seeing if that would help. It did not. I see him again in November. Is this revision material?

Stan M. Valnicek, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question.  It is difficult to give you a proper opinion without pre-op pictures and an examination in person to determine if those bands are skin or muscle and assess the degree of scar tissue and the quality of the skin.  In facelift or neck lift surgery, there is often a 15% relapse rate of some banding under the chin (assuming that area was smooth initially after the surgery).  This is due to the skin stretching back out to allow you a full range of neck mobility as things heal, and then not having the intrinsic elasticity to fully contract without some buckling as you return your neck to a neutral position or flex it.  
Our skin when we were young is like a fresh elastic band with a lot of stretch and contraction ability.   As we age, it is more like a rubber band left outside in the sun for a few years - the skin loses elasticity and tends to buckle much sooner.  Removing the excess with a face/necklift improves things but cannot restore the natural elasticity of the remaining skin.
It is possible that re-tightening the skin or addressing the platysma muscle (depending which is causing the bands) can improve the contour at a later date.  Other modalities using laser, radio frequency energy or other modalities can also tighten skin and reduce banding.  
I would follow your surgeons advice, see them at 6 months and discuss at that point what the options are to get you the contour you were hoping for.  If they cannot get you there, I would seek another opinion from a well respected board certified Plastic Surgeon in your area.

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

For unique cases where a variety of modalities could be used to treat the condition, I would suggest an in-person or virtual consultation to develop a custom and effective treatment plan.  It is difficult to precisely define the best option without collecting the same information. I suggest reaching out to an expert for a consultation with surgical and non-surgical methods to get a comprehensive option. Best, Dr. Emer.

Alejandro J. Quiroz, MD · Answer

Thank you for a question.  I saw your results, I am sorry about  them, but I recommend you go back to your doctor because you need a revision to correct your neck.

Michael Kulick, MD, DDS · Answer

Thank you for your pictures. You have developed a trust with your initial surgeon and follow through with that doctor is the next best step. Without seeing your initial pictures, it is hard to see how much improvement occurred. Seeing such muscle neck banding so early in your recovery is atypical. Injecting a neurotoxin was a good idea. It should have helped. 
If you have concerns you may want to seek additional consultations with board certified plastic surgeons that are members of ASPS and ASAPS. 
Hope this helps!
Dr. Kulick San Francisco

Thuy-Van Tina Ho, MD · Answer

Dear S1226,
Thank you for your question. It is difficult to make an accurate assessment and recommendations based on photographs alone. I recommend you continue to seek serial follow-up with your surgeon as you are still healing. If you are at six months to a year out with unimproved issues in the submental area, your surgeon may consider you to be a revision surgery candidate. 
Tina Ho, MD
Facial Plastic Surgeon

Would the look of my neck be considered a lower neck lift failure and can this sometimes happen? Would a revision help? (Photos)

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Would the look of my neck be considered a lower neck lift failure and can this sometimes happen? Would a revision help? (Photos)

Answers (10)

Answer: Neck lift but still unhappy

Answer: Neck lift but still unhappy

Answer: Neck lift: Revision

Answer: Neck lift: Revision

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Everything you need to know about Neck Lift

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.